Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 88: Yumi's Perfect Dream
Seth's POV
This Espurr, the same Espurr who was in my arms as it hatched at the stroke of midnight, she stood as my opponent, along with the two Beartic she commanded. More importantly, Espurr was what was keeping me from entering the citadel.
Well, if a fight was what Espurr wanted, I was going to deliver, if it meant finding Yumi.
"Seth, you ready?" Alice asked me.
"Hmph!" I said as I nodded, not taking my eyes off Espurr, "Prepare to lose!" And with that, I threw my Pokeball, releasing...
"Luuuurrrre..." It was the long and ominous echo of a cry belonging to the Chandelure I was using for the first time. It's flames were extra bright, given our surroundings.
"Now it's our turn!" Alice cried as she threw her own pokeball.
"Laaa..." It was apparent that Chandelure wasn't the only one with a long cry as the blue headed Kirlia was singing as if she didn't have a care in the world.
"Hopefully, for Mother Yumi, your first battle here will also be your last. Now I must attend to her.."
"What? Wait?!" I tried to call out to the Espurr as she suddenly went inside the citadel. I tried to follow, but I was ultimately stopped by the Beartic.
"Aaarr..."
"Er..."
"Chico!" Fortunately though, Chikorita was never accounted for by the Beartic until it was too late. Until just a few moments ago, she had remained snuggled up within the hood of my black jacket, and that was when she rushed past the Beartic and after Espurr, into the citadel. Let's hope she can find Yumi.
"Chikorita..." Should something happen, I was now without Chikorita to work with. But now wasn't the time to get distracted as I returned my attention to the situation at hand.
"Braaahhhrrr!" The first move was made as Beartic made it's way toward Chandelure, it's hand cloaked in a light blue aura. Did that happen to be Ice Punch?
"Flamethrower!" I called out to Chandelure.
"Luuurrr..." With that long, creepy cry echoing off the tiny surfaces of the falling snow, Chandelure launched a stream of fire that I thought would be very effective. Of course, that was only what I 'thought' while facing an ice type in the incoming Beartic.
"Rrraaahh!" Sadly, my thought would turn out to be wrong. Catching me off guard, the eyes of the Beartic suddenly widened as it swiftly dodged Flamethrower, "Rah!" Beartic then proceeded to strike the soul keeper in Chandelure with it's icy fist.
"Luurr..." Of course, resisting ice allowed for Chandelure to take Beartic's attack without much problem.
"What happened?" I asked myself.
Beartic, it was moving at a much faster pace than I anticipated. As I took out my Pokedex, I wondered...In this situation, I didn't have time for the voice of the Pokedex to explain forgettable info, so I just skipped over to the ice type's moveset.
The Pokedex read:
Moves;Ice Punch, Ice Beam, and Slash
Ablility; Snow Cloak; Increases the Pokemon's evasion in snow or hail.
Here, and in the storm? That explained Beartic's evasion.
I looked over to see how Alice was handling the situation...
"Lalaaaahhhh!" Gracefully, and with ease, Alice's blue headed Kirlia was maneuvering her way around Beartic's repeated Slash attacks. The smile on from her earlier battle with Yumi and Braixen was still on her face as she was twirling like a ballerina. In the magical snow, watching Kirlia dance was certainly a sight.
"Use Disarming Voice!" Alice appeared very confident while commanding her singing Kirlia. She certainly was handling the opposition better than me...
"...Laaa LAAAAAHHHHH!" Kirlia's singing voice went from pleasant to unbearable as she began to pitch her voice obscenely high. The voice's potential to possibly break glass had me covering my ears, as well as the two Beartic.
Hmm...the current state of the two Beartic was just what I needed. Them stopping in their tracks due to Disarming Voice was the perfect opportunity for me to strike. My hands still covering my ears, I shouted in order for me to get through to a Chandelure who was also feeling the effect of Kirlia's voice.
"Chandelure, Flamethrower now!"
"Luuurrrr!" Chandelure raised it's voice as it launched a stream of fire.
"Aaaahhh!" The Beartic yelled as it was struck by a critical impact, super effective Flamethrower attack.
"It's a hit! And a lucky one at that!" Alice cheered as Kirlia's Disarming Voice faded.
Alice was correct as Beartic fell to the ground at the hands of a single hit. There it lied as Chandelure and I waited for the ice bear to make any sort of movement, bit it was no use. The first of the two Beartic could no longer continue, leaving just one to deal with BOTH Chandelure AND Kirlia.
"Rrr..." The second Beartic stared down at it's fallen ally .The low, deep groan that barely surfaced from the bear's mouth gave us the impression that he knew it was over, but that didn't stop him from glaring at us again.
"You're defeated," I said.
"May we finish this together, Seth?" Alice asked.
I looked at her and Kirlia, who both had confident smiles on their faces, then replied, "Let us!"
Location: Yumi's Dream
Yumi's POV
The story of Seth and I, it was at our journey's conclusion...
A full year has gone by since our journey was completed. As Top Coordinator, the world offered endless opportunity. I could've become a model or actress, or maybe I could've cashed in on my opportunity to receive a lifetime's worth of recognition for my role in the downfall of Team Neo Snagem's empire.
Like I said before, the possibilities for what I wanted to do were endless. Yet, all I wanted was to be with Seth, which brings me and my life here: Sunnyshore City.
While Rose and Seth's parents live in a beachside villa on the edge of Sunnyshore, Seth and I...let's just say that we were no longer separated by what region we lived in.
Seth told me that once had a job as a aid over at the Sunnyshore Gym, and has returned to his old life with his Johto journey behind him. He worked in exchange for a place to stay, which he does to this day. You see, thanks to Volkner, Flint, and a recurring Jasmine, Seth has worked his way up, and now has his own place downtown. Pretty unrealistic considering his age, but hey, it's MY dream. His place was nothing special, just an upscale apartment that he and I have shared since I 'moved in'. He actually didn't like the idea of me moving in at first, he even distance himself from me at one time, but he eventually gave in. Now it's just me, him, and Chikorita.
Speaking of Seth, where was he? I swear, he's almost NEVER around. We were both fourteen now, and I didn't want to miss it when he finally smiles.
"That's it!" I was tired of waiting here for him. It was nightfall, and I thought I might as well get in a long walk beside the moonlit ocean while looking for him.
...He said he would never come home before nightfall, because he and Chikorita would always watch the sunset. His sister would accompany him on occasion, as the beachside villa was right there.
I've never seen Seth's parents before...
...
Here I was as I made my way toward the beachside villa, and Seth was nowhere to be found. Ugh, what is it with him and this constant disappearing act?! Well, I guess that's what makes the chase so satisfying when I finally catch him. But still, I sighed. It was so in character for Seth not to tell anyone where he is.
I stared into the dark sea, "Well, this IS my perfect dream. Though as time passed by, there was this feeling gradually creeping up on me, a feeling that something was missing, something more than just a friend..."
Location: Yumi's Citadel
Espurr's POV
I had a sense, and was well aware of the Beartic's defeat at the hands of Seth and Alice as I made my way through such a glossy hallway. The walls and floors were all white, all shiny. Yumi's citadel was elegant, yet it would give a sort of creepy vibe to visitors as they'd take in the many Litwick lighting the halls from up on the walls. The Litwick purposely stare in unison at any passerby. They were to serve as another obstacle I have in place for Father Seth.
"Mother..." The citadel's halls all led to a room at the very top, where I stood in front of the sleeping beauty, 'Sleeping Yumi'. "He's on his way here, but I can't let him hurt you again. As he enters your room, all of the dream pokemon will gather around and eliminate him."
"Espurr!" While the subject of Father Seth was at hand, I could hear the voice of his pokemon calling out to me from behind. My wide eyes slowly turned to face my 'older sister'.
"You made it." I calmly said to Chikorita. She took a second to look at a sleeping Yumi who was on an all white bed.
"Espurr, what is this place? Why is Yumi sleeping?" Chikorita asked.
"This place...the Litwick, Teddiursa, Gardevoir and Gothitelle...this is all a dream, the dream of Yumi. Here, she sleep, and thanks to my power, whatever she dreams will become reality." I explained.
Chikorita's mouth hung open in slight surprise, "If you're the source of everything that surrounds us..." Chikorita paused, "So intelligent, so powerful...How can you do all this?"
"I'm not sure..." And that was an honest reply from me. I was not aware of the full extent of my powers, nor was I aware of how I got these powers in the first place. And to be honest, I wasn't sure if I could even stop. I'm so young, I just don't know enough yet...How was I able to put Mother Yumi to sleep? All I did when she was awake was Yawn, and before I knew it, I could talk, even though my ability of human speech will only last until Yumi stops dreaming, "But it is my promise to make things stay the way they are. I cannot allow for Mother Yumi to see Father Seth and that Alice girl together again. She'll be heartbroken."
"And just how do you know that?" Chikorita asked expectantly.
"I don't know." I replied, "It's just best I don't take any chances.
Chikorita's eyes narrowed as she continued to glare at me, "Then apparently, we're not on the same page."
"Please, don't give me that look," I said to my sister, "I do not wish for the two of us to resort to violence. If we fight, I'll really hurt you, even though I don't want to."
"How are you so sure you'd win?"
"If I've the power to create this castle and all of it's inhabitants, then surely taking you out will be no struggle, sister." I proceeded to take a few steps toward Mother Yumi, looking at her as I continued to explain to Chikorita, "I am not sure about how much power I possess or how much I would end up using in a fight, and I'd rather you not be on the receiving end of the answer to both my question marks."
"Good luck getting Seth to understand that," Chikorita said.
"We'll find out soon enough, "I countered as I continued toward Mother Yumi, "Come with me. Together we'll wait for Father Seth."
...
Seth's POV
The Pokedex reads:
Espurr, the Restraint Pokemon: The organ that emits it's intense psychic power is sheltered by it's ears to keep power from leaking out. It has enough psychic energy to blast everything within 300 feet of itself, but it has no control over it's power.
Moves: Yawn, Dream Eater, Confusion, Magic Room.
"But how? Of all these moves, confusion is the only one that Espurr can learn naturally," Alice said as she put away her white Pokedex.
Yumi has been training Espurr off screen...
"Hmm..." I was thinking to myself as I was staring at my own, navy blue Pokedex.
"Hey, what is it?" Alice asked as she looked at me.
Following our victory over the Beartic, Alice and I swiftly proceeded into the castle. We were greeted by a Gothitelle who allowed for us to pass into the foyer. While on the bottom floor, Alice and I were quite impressed by how upscale and 'white' the place was. Alice even went as far as comparing this interior to the rich elegance of her home in Camphrier Town. She almost felt home sick...
Anyway, as we made our way passed the Gothitelle, and up to the next floor, both Alice and I each took out our Pokedex to see what Espurr could possibly be doing in this castle, which leads us to the situation at hand.
"I think I'm onto something," I started replying to Alice, "This whole thing-this castle, and all the Pokemon-this is all Espurr's donig. Perhaps THIS is the full extent of Espurr's Magic Room, and Espurr is unaware of Magic Room's disturbance on a nearby Autumn Town. I was the first thing Espurr saw, making me what she calls her 'Father'. Despite that, Espurr proceeded to attack me, and all just to protect Yumi...Alice!" I called as I put my Pokedex away and faced her, "My conclusion is that Espurr, the Restraint Pokemon, has lost her ability to restrain herself. We're going to have to eliminate Espurr if it means getting Yumi back."
For a moment, Alice remained quiet, possibly thinknig to herself before speaking very softly, "Wow...all this just to get Yumi. You really care for her..."
"Apparently so..."
"Wha?" Alice said confused.
The voice came from just behind us, where the room door was shut. Standing there, looking straight at us, was the very Gothitelle that happily greeted us inside the castle. Only now, a nasty scowl was plastered onto the face of the Astral Body Pokemon.
"It all ends here," The Gothitelle said.
"The end is very near indeed." In addition to Gothitelle, there was the voice of another pokemon. The very familiar voice of an Espurr was standing opposite of Gothitelle, at the other end of the room. "With every step you take, you inch closer to Mother Yumi..."
"Where's Yumi? Where's Chikorita?" I asked.
"In the room ahead, but unfortunately, you won't be making it that far." Like before, Espurr raised her hand, which prompted Gothitelle's attention, "Finish them."
"As you wish!" The Gothitelle put her hand forward, launching a beam of psychic energy right at me.
"Woah!" I jumped out of the way, causing the Psybeam to continue on it's way to the other side of the room...where Espurr stood.
Espurr simply teleported from where she stood, and upon Espurr not teleporting back into the room, I hurriedly called out to Alice, "Alice, go to Yumi!"
Alice was taken aback, "Oh! But what about you?!"
I guess it was just safe to say Alice had gained my total trust. I trusted her to go after Espurr while I had a few Pokemon with a type advantage over Gothitelle. "Do you think I'm not strong enough to handle Gothitelle on my own?"
Alice smiled for a split second, giving me this look of 'duh, of course not', as she started away from Gothitelle and I.
"Hold on!" Gothitelle yelled.
In a desperate attempt to keep Alice from getting away, the Gothitelle hurriedly launched a beam of psychic energy. Alice, on her way away, looked back in our direction. Feasting her eyes on the incoming beam, Alice froze as she flinched in fear.
"Not so fast," I said as I swiftly took out a Pokeball, throwing it in the path of Psybeam.
With the collision, came a cloud of smoke.
"Er!" Gothitelle temporarily blinded, Alice was provided the perfect opportunity to proceeded further into the building.
Though I could see her through the smoke, I could hear her voice one last time before she would separate herself from us, "Be careful." Was all she said...
"No! She got away!" Gothitelle groaned.
"You've still one more opponent standing in front of you, yet all you're worried about is the one that got away..."
Opening my mouth, the smoke was still blinding, it blinded Gothitelle from seeing who exactly her opponent was. As the smoke cleared, the Astral Body Pokemon looked quite surprised when staring at the two of us...
"Ki..." Fighting on my side, was the 'key to lost souls', the Klefki that was surrounded by the very dark aura that would belong to a Shadow Pokemon.
"W-what is this?" The Gothitelle asked.
And of course, she was talking about klefki and I...
...
...
...Define 'I'.
'I' am who Seth needs in order to control the Shadow Pokemon.
"What is this?" I repeated what Gothitelle asked.
...Now it was my turn to become surrounded by the dark aura. I allowed for my inner darkness to take order as my right eye began to turn that familiar dark purple color.
"This is what I'd like to call, 'You're Worst Nightmare'..." I answered.
'I' was Seth, but at the same time 'I' was someone else. The darkness of Seth plus the darkness of Fear...It is for Yumi...
From Seth to Fear, I am Seifer...
To Be Continued...
So, I'm back...again! I've been busy getting ahead on chapters for when I feel like typing. And...Guess what? I've looked for a job for the longest time. After applying everywhere day in and day out, I decided to try something different. Readers, I am proud to say that I am now apart of the United States Navy! I don't go to boot camp until November, but it's just a heads up. Starting November 10th, there will be a two month gap between when I post Virus Version, because I'm sure it won't be done by then.
I digress now. The point of these fights with Espurr's illusionary Pokémon is to showcase Chandelure and Klefki.
As I said, I've been busy getting ahead on chapters, and the length of my chapters have increased unceremoniously, save for next chapter. Expect major development on Seth's part within the next two chapters. You'll see that I've finally started to let him out of his shell a bit.
Seth's Pokémon
Party
Chikorita-Female, Overgrow
Murkrow-Male, Super Luck
Seviper-Female, Shed Skin
Chandelure-Male, Flame Body
Klefki-Male, Prankster
Sunnyshore Gym
Elekid-Male, Static
Gabite-Male, Rough Skin
With Chapel
Mawile-Female, Intimidate